From Ideas to Impact: ScaleUp Orlando 2025 Conference Roundup
What is ScaleUp Orlando 2025? 🤔
Conference highlight video
On September 18, 2025, founders, small business owners, contractors, and the tech community gathered for ScaleUp Orlando 2025. Hosted by Black Orlando Tech (BOT), the inaugural small business conference welcomed 70+ attendees. Taking over the heart of Orlando at the beautiful UCF Downtown campus, attendees set out to learn, build, and scale their businesses collaboratively. Not only did attendees participate in exciting business-focused workshops, but they also gained valuable connections and intangible knowledge from fireside chats and panels.
🤝A Day Built to Empower and Equip
This year’s event focused on practical tools, strategies, and connections, providing a wide range of depth and knowledge for attendees. From startup founders fine-tuning their business models to contractors exploring digital solutions, every attendee walked away with actionable insights designed to make an immediate impact.
While falling short of our conference goal of 100 attendees, the event generated 86 sign-ups and 73 conference check-ins. An impressive 85% attendance rate showcased Orlando’s commitment to learning, tech, and collaboration.
📋Key Highlights & Outcomes
🔹 A Thriving Community of Builders
ScaleUp Orlando 2025 brought together 73 attendees representing small business owners, startup founders, students, and tech professionals. Essential volunteers kept the day running smoothly, while vendors and sponsors offered hands-on resources and support to help participants take their next step toward growth
🔹 Powerful Partnerships
ScaleUp Orlando 2025 was made possible through the support of outstanding partners and sponsors. Thanks to the partnership and support of Orange County Government, JPMorgan Chase, Target, and Innovate Orlando, participants gained access to resources, expertise, and inspiration that extend well beyond the event itself.
These partnerships embody BOT’s mission to provide communities the opportunities and tools to thrive in tech. Their participation helped strengthen our ecosystem and spotlight the importance of collective investment in local entrepreneurship and tech talent.
🔹 Engaging, Future-Focused Content
Attendees experienced a full day of expert-led sessions that balanced immediate practicality with long-term innovation. Highlights included:
Legal Basics for Small Business Owners – Real-world legal guidance on contracts, compliance, and risk management.
The Orlando Advantage – A keynote positioning Orlando as a growing hub for innovation, tech, and talent.
AI and Automation – Exploring tools and workflows to help small businesses scale efficiently.
AI and Cybersecurity Essentials – Practical strategies for protecting and future-proofing tech-driven businesses.
Complementing these sessions were interactive workshops and panels covering mental wellness, business resilience, branding, finance, and global expansion strategies. Each session offered valuable, impactful insights for every stage of business growth.
🌍Community Impact and Future Vision
Early feedback from preliminary post-event surveys highlighted the practical, relevant content and community-focused atmosphere. The popularity of AI and cybersecurity sessions reaffirmed the importance of future-focused, tech-driven learning heading into 2026.
The event also opened new doors for collaboration, sponsorship, and community partnerships, expanding the foundation for next year’s initiatives. Above all, ScaleUp Orlando 2025 reinforced our role as a local ecosystem builder and a place where tech meets community, fueling a shared vision for inclusive innovation across Central Florida.
🔭Looking Ahead
ScaleUp Orlando 2025 was a celebration of innovation, resilience, and shared growth. It reminded us that when communities come together to share knowledge, tools, and opportunities, we all rise.
As we move toward 2026, BOT remains committed to being a trusted resource hub and ecosystem builder, helping individuals learn, build, and scale with confidence in the digital economy.
🚀 Join the Movement
The momentum doesn’t stop here. Stay connected with BOT for upcoming workshops, partnerships, and opportunities to learn, build, and scale together.
👉 Get Involved: Sign up for upcoming workshops, volunteer opportunities, and community events designed to help you grow your skills and network. Share your expertise through mentorship or as a guest speaker.
👉 Partner With Us: Interested in sponsoring or collaborating on future programs? Let’s fuel the future of tech and entrepreneurship together through sponsorships and donations.
👉 Stay Connected:Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates, resources, and stories from Orlando’s growing innovation ecosystem.
